The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Thursday allowed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to proceed with the Swiss challenge for the P23-billion Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension project.
Chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the NEDA Board also approved the negotiated parameters, terms and conditions of the TPLEX Extension project between the government negotiation team and San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), the original proponent.
The DPWH will now proceed with the publication of the invitation for comparative proposals in accordance with the Revised 2022 Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law’s implementing rules and regulations and Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) guidelines.
Following the Swiss challenge, the project is expected to be awarded by May 2024 in case there will be challengers, or it will be awarded to the original proponent by March 2024. The project construction is expected to be completed within five years from the signing of the contract.
The TPLEX Extension Project, which will be implemented through public-private partnership (PPP), is a 59.4-kilometer four-lane toll road which will start from the TPLEX in Rosario, La Union and will terminate at San Juan, La Union. The estimated total project cost is P23.4 billion.
It aims to extend the expressway and interconnect the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila. It is expected to stimulate economic activity, mitigate road congestion and provide better and safer road access going to the Ilocos Region.
The project was initially approved by the NEDA Board on June 2, 2023, allowing the DPWH to commence negotiation with the original proponent. It is among the 197 infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) of the Marcos administration.
Meanwhile, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan reported that one of the 197 IFPs—the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project—was completed. The 18.65-kilometer road project links the towns of Laoang, Catubig and Palapag by establishing a circumferential road around the entire Samar Island.
The road is expected to enhance economic activity in the region by improving the delivery and movement of essential goods and services and creating more job opportunities.
There are also 71 ongoing projects, 29 projects approved for implementation, 9 projects awaiting government approval, 52 projects in the project preparation phase and 35 projects in the pre-project preparation phase as of the third quarter of 2023, according to NEDA.
“The Marcos administration remains steadfast in its dedication to enhancing connectivity, ramping up employment-creating investments and significantly improving living standards for every Filipino by ensuring the efficient implementation of these high-impact projects. We will continue with our commitment to pursue important initiatives to ensure social and economic transformation towards a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat,” said Balisacan.
